Medical Causes

Back Pain can also be caused by following medical conditions:

Herniated Disc

This is also called Slipped Disc, Ruptured Disc, Bulging Disc, and Spinal Disc Herniation. A condition in which a tear in outer fibrous ring (called annulus fibrosus) of an intervertebral disc allows soft, central portion (called nucleus pulposus) to be extruded (herniated) to the outside of disc. When this occurs, the disc material can press on a nerve. Symptoms vary depending on the location of the herniation and the types and extent of soft tissue involved. For example, symptoms can range from little or no pain (if the disc is the only tissue injured) up to severe continuous, and unrelenting neck or back pain that can extend to regions served by the affected nerve. Other symptoms may include sensory changes such as numbness, tingling, muscular weakness, paralysis, and reflex impairment. The pain from a Herniated Disc is usually continuous and unrelenting.

Osteoarthritis (OA)

This is also known as Degenerative Arthritis, Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD), Arthrosis, Osteoarthrosis, and, in more colloquial terms, "Wear and Tear". word "Osteoarthritis" is derived from the Greek words "osteo", meaning "of the bone", "arthro", meaning "joint", and "itis", meaning inflammation. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of Arthritis, and is a condition where cartilage that covers and acts as a cushion inside joints has become excessively worn causing low-grade inflammation and pain in the joints. As the bone surfaces become less well protected by cartilage, sufferer will experience pain upon movement and weight bearing activities, such as walking and standing. Over time, pain often causes a decrease for movement of the sufferer, which compounds the situation as muscles begin to atrophy and ligaments may become more lax. OA is the most common form of arthritis.

Sciatica

This is also called Lumbago. Sciatica is a relatively common form of low back pain and leg pain, and occurs when a Herniated Disc compresses or pinches Sciatic Nerve causing a sudden, shooting pain that travels from back of thigh to the back of the calf, and may also extend as far up as the hip and as far down as the foot. In addition to the sharp, shooting pain, other symptoms can include numbness and difficulty in moving or controlling the leg. Typically, these symptoms are felt on only one side of the body.

Spinal Stenosis

This is a condition in which spinal cord and nerves are compressed or pinched as a result of narrowing of the Spinal Canal. This narrowing is often the result of natural degeneration that occurs in the spine with age, or as a result of Arthritis or bone overgrowth. Spinal Stenosis can also be caused by a Herniated Disc or a tumour. Spinal Stenosis may affect various regions of the spine, such as Lumbar Spine, Cervical Spine, or both. When the Spinal Stenosis affects the Lumbar region of the Spine, lower back pain as well as pain and/or numbness and other unusual sensations in the legs may be experienced.

Spondylolisthesis

This is a condition where one vertebra slides forward over an adjacent vertebra causing compression or pinching of nerves emerging from spinal cord. The instability of adjacent vertebrae can be caused by degenerative changes or by congenital or traumatic disruption of joints in the vertebrae. Spondylolisthesis occurs most commonly in the lumbar spine.

Spondylosis

This is a deformity or degeneration in joints of two vertebrae, particularly in neck area, where as the space between the two adjacent vertebrae narrows, causing compression or pinching of the nerves emerging from the spinal cord. The deformity or degeneration normally occurs as a result of aging or Arthritis, and can cause severe pain in the neck, shoulder, upper limbs, and related areas.

Back Pain